Trio of Mates
Chapter 49

I can barely sleep. After everything that my father told me, everything that he wants me to do, my mind is spinning. At 6:30, I shove the blankets off me, tired of trying. I spend an inordinate amount of time in the shower, trying to relax. Today is supposed to be exciting. One of the best days of my life. I will take over my position as Beta! I will likely replace my mate!

It’s my birthday! I mean, if the prospect of cake can’t even cheer me up, I know I’m a goner. But all that swirls in my gut is dread. Dad was right. My mate is likely going to be a male) And Ill have to turn him away.

I always knew that my parents were great friends. But there was never that spark between them that I saw in all of my friends’ parents. There were no little touches of affection. No gleam in their eyes when they saw each other. They were mated, but they weren’t in love.

Could I really live my life like that?

I had decided to be with Charlie and Zak before I found my mate in the hope that the stories were true. Once you found your mate, you would forget about everyone else. That my love for them would dim to just a friendship once I found my Goddess given love. But knowing that they think that we are a trio. Knowing that I will have to remember what we are to each other, even though I can never act on it once I have chosen a mate. How? How can I do it?

Finding no answers, I turn off the shower and proceed to dress. The feeling of despair only gets heavier in my heart.

As I make my way to the dining hall, I scent the most intoxicating smell. Rosemary and rain mixed with maple and moss. The scents are one, yet separate. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever smelt, but familiar in a way.

My wolf paces in the back of my mind, restless and excited. I don’t think, I just move. Running towards the dining hall I throw open the doors and take a deep inhale.

My eyes move to the high table. There she sits, her raven-dark hair spilling over her left shoulder, her gray eyes seeming to glow in the early morning light, She wears a simple yellow summer dress, the hue setting off her olive skin.

She springs from the table, coming to stand in front of me. Charlie. “Mate.” Even though she whispers it, I can clearly hear her in the silent dining room.

“Mate.” My voice is full of wonder as I pull her into my arms. The fated sparks dance along my skin and I nearly m0an at the feeling. I k!ss her, her arms immediately going around my neck. I place my nose in her hair, scenting her. But something is wrong.

Something is missing. She has the rosemary and rain scent, but where is the maple and moss?

Suddenly, the doors from the kitchen open and Zak walks in. His scent hits my nose as he walks closer.

There. The other part of the scent.

His deep brown eyes connect with mine and I feel something perfect click into place. His face lights up with a smile as he hurriedly makes his way towards Us.

He reaches his hand to my cheek and, again, the fated sparks cover where he touches.

“Mate.” His eyes shine with joy as he stares at me.

“Mate.”I breathe out.

Encircling Charlie in our embrace, Zak k!sses me.

When we pull away from each other, I just stare at them. My heart is overflowing with happiness as I realize that I don’t have to say goodbye to them when I replace another mate. They are both mine.

Wait, both?

It is only as that thought crosses my mind that I realize that the dining room is nearly full with our pack, the high table completely full with our families. The room, which is usually welcoming and full of the sounds of chatter and playful banter is completely silent. Our entire pack stares at us, shock, fear, and, occasionally, disgust evident on their faces.

Of course, they know nothing of the mate trios. Hell, I didn’t know anything about them until yesterday and I kind of brushed it off. It’s weird as hell, but It didn’t concern me, right? Only, it obviously does. My father is part of a trio. And now, so am I.

Oh, f**k.

I step out of Charlie and Zak’s arms. The pain is evident on their faces as they see the fear that settles on my face. I immediately want to go back to them. To comfort them. But I don’t. I whole-heartedly believe what I said to my father last night. This will only cause more pain. More death. The rest of the packs will turn away from us. Isn’t that why the Diana pack has hidden all this time? They knew that all wolfdom would take them out, root and stem. I can’t do that to my pack. I can’t do that to Zak and Charlie. Accepting them as my mates would mean their death sentence.

“Pack, please clear out to give us time to -“Former- Alpha Jared says, standing at the high table.

“No need, Former-Alpha.” I interrupt, unable to take my eyes from my two mates. Tears that I didn’t know were in my eyes begin to drip from my cheeks. I know what I have to do.

“Brandon.” Charlie’s voice is full of worry.

“What are you doing?” Zak asks. He starts to walk toward me, but I hold out a hand to stop him.

“I, Brandon Conall Snow, reject – “

“NO!” Charlie screams, lunging for me.

Zak follows her, both grabbing at me. Their hands grasp at my arms, my shoulders, my face.

“Please, Brandon! Please think about what you are doing!” Zak cries into my face. Tears stream down their faces.

“I have to,” I plead with them. “I have to protect us.”

Taking a deep breath, I start again. “I, Brandon Conali Snow, Beta of the Artemis Pack, reject you, Charlotte

Elektra Loup, Luna of the Artemis Pack, and you, Zakary Alexander Loup, Alpha of the Artemis Pack, as my mates.”

Instantly, we all fall to our knees, clutching our chests.